Special Needs Resources

Supporting your child may require guidance on their specific diagnosis, early intervention (for babies or toddlers), special education (for preschool or school-age children), social security benefits, and more. These resources will help you advocate for your child's growth, development, and well-being.

You'll also find information on laws, programs, and services designed to ensure children with disabilities receive the support they need to thrive.

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Understand the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

• IDEA Overview (Center for Parent Information and Resources) - This resource provides an overview of IDEA, a law that makes sure that all eligible children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

• IDEA Resources for Families (U.S. Department of Education) - This resource provides information on the different aspects of IDEA and helps you learn about resources that may be available to you and your child.

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Learn About Services to Help

• Tracking Your Child’s Development: “Learn the Signs: Act Early” (CDC) - This resource helps you learn about developmental screening services and what to do if you have a concern about your child’s development.

• What is ‘Early Intervention’? (CDC) - Learn about early intervention services required by IDEA, Part C. These services help eligible infants and toddlers (younger than age 3 years) with developmental delays and disabilities and their families to support children's development. Early intervention focuses on helping infants and toddlers learn the skills that children typically develop during the first 3 years of life.

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Learn About Financial Supports for Children with Disabilities

Learn about the financial support options available for families of children with disabilities. This video provides an overview of key resources and funding opportunities to help cover the costs of care and specialized services, ensuring every child gets the support they need to thrive.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children (Social Security Administration) - Learn about how SSI provides financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of children who have a physical or mental disability or who are blind. If you care for a child or teenager with a disability and have limited income and savings or other resources, your child may be eligible for SSI.

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Find Parent Education & Support

• Early intervention
• Early intervention referral
• Preschool Special Education Resources
• Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

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County Programs - Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Oneida County	Madison County
Oneida County Department of Health Erin Nemeyer Adirondack Bank Building 185 Genesee St. 5thFloor Utica, NY 13501 Telephone: (315) 798-5988 Fax: (315) 798-6441	Madison County Public Health Shelly DeGroat Karen Burgwin 138 North Court Street Bldg 5 Wampsville, NY 13163 Telephone: (315) 366- 2364 Fax: (315) 366-2566

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Find Support for Military Families of Children with Disabilities

If you are a military family, there are specific resources available to help you support your child with a disability.

• Military OneSource is a 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources, and confidential help, which provides resources to help you navigate special education, child care, and much more. Note: To access these services, you must be an eligible DOD service member, an immediate family member of an eligible DOD service member, a Gold Star family, or a military academy cadet. To find out if you are eligible, see “Military OneSource Confidential Help Eligibility.”

Last updated July 11, 2025